As we approach the end of summer, it’s time to start preparing the home for fall entertaining and guests. For clients in need of a bathroom remodel, now is the perfect time to get the project underway.

Bathroom remodels topped the list as the most common remodeling job at 81 percent in 2015, making it vital for remodelers to stay on top of the latest in bathroom trend and design. Below are the latest developments in bathroom remodel projects that will help you and your team cut down on installation time and update the style of your client’s bathroom.

Modern Faucets

Faucet upgrades are one of the most cost-effective and eye-catching upgrades for consumers. They can be introduced as part of a full remodel or a simple, standalone upgrade. The Home Depot works directly with manufacturers to create every faucet on the store’s shelves, and 90 percent of our models are exclusive.

This year, leading design trends include matte black faucets and faucets with built-in LED lights that activate when the water flows to help you see if the room is dark. For environmentally conscious clients, make sure to look for WaterSense-certified faucets, which are at least 20 percent more water efficient. Microban faucets from Moen, exclusive to The Home Depot, feature an antimicrobial film that help inhibit the growth of stain-and-odor bacteria, and reduces cleaning time.

These new features are great for consumers, but pros will get more excited about innovations that make installation simpler and faster. Our bath merchants worked with Glacier Bay to create the Clickinstall drain assembly system specifically as a simple install solution for contractors. It features joints that click into place to enable you to install the drain in seconds with no placement errors.

Innovative Showers and Tubs

With the recent developments in showers and tubs, you and your team have an opportunity to be even more creative and stylistic, creating a customized, unique look that will appeal to your customer’s eye.

Freestanding tubs are the hot item for master baths right now, and for showers, look for frameless sliding shower doors as an option. These doors mirror the latest popular trend of the interior barn door trend.

Play with patterns, textures, sizes and colors when tiling to present a look not normally expected in this space.

Smart Tile for backsplashes is also popular for property managers looking to save on remodeling time; the heat resistant peel-and-stick tiles can be installed in just minutes.

For older clients looking at accessible, American Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant options, Aquatic offers an excellent lineup. The brand’s accessible shower liners feature innovative pre-leveled bases, making installation significantly easier. The Home Depot is the only national retailer to offer the Aquatic line.

Aging in Place

Speaking of accessibility, expect aging in place and universal design elements to play an increasing role in the remodeling world. The number of people 65 and older in the United States is expected to increase to 55 million by 2020, and 87 percent of them want to stay in their current home and community as they age, according to AARP.

The essential universal design elements to feature in bathrooms include:

Widening the doorway, making it accessible by wheelchair

Reinforcing the walls to support grab bars

Installing a zero-threshold shower with a fold-down seat

Putting in a comfort-height toilet and installing a sink with space for a person to sit.

To create a more natural and seamless look, incorporate Delta’s “Hidden in Plain Sight” line of products, which turn standard bathroom hardware like toilet paper holders and towel racks into reinforced assist bars.

High-Quality Hardware and Fixtures

Take a project even further by upgrading fixtures like toilets and vanities to help reduce water usage and increase storage space – making the bathroom more stylish and functional.

Just like faucets, look for WaterSense certified options, which ensure top performance and maximum water efficiency. Glacier Bay’s SuperClean toilet options features an antimicrobial glaze that helps keep the bowl cleaner over time and a QuickConnect system that makes installation fast, similar to the faucet system.

Vanities offer an opportunity to create a design statement while also enhancing the storage availability in the bathroom. Dark wood and stone look countertops remain popular design choices. Modular vanities allow clients to select from a variety of matching options that fit well into any space and can help simplify the decision-making process.

Help customers get ahead of the busy fall season – incorporate these latest innovations to help improve the installation process and offer your clients excellent long term value for their new bathrooms.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul West is the Divisional Merchandising Manager responsible for all bath categories such as faucets, bath accessories, vanities and bath fixtures; a position he has held for the last 4 ½ years. Paul has been with The Home Depot for 36 years. Since joining the company as a sales associate in 1981, Paul has held several positions of increasing responsibility, including Store Manager, District Manager, Merchant, Global Product Merchant, Divisional Merchandising Manager Plumbing, and Vice President of Merchandising Services. Paul has relocated numerous times throughout the country in support of the company’s growth and has been in Atlanta for the past 14 years. Prior to Home Depot, Paul served in the United States Air Force.